Non-reactor-based production of medical isotopes could provide Canadians with back-up or supplementary supplies and ease disruptions to patient scans.

Hamilton, ON (January 24, 2011) – The Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization (CPDC) joined the Government of Canada today to announce a national project to develop alternative sources of medical isotopes that could help to secure a reliable, long-term supply for Canadians.

The half-life of the fluorine-18 isotope, used to make many PET probes, is only 109.8 minutes. In about a day, the isotopes injected into a patient have either been excreted or have completed their decay.

In the last three years, CPDC has introduced three new molecular probes to Ontario for clinical trials in disease diagnosis and drug development.